Wine Specs

Vintage2012

VarietalCabernet Sauvignon

AppellationRutherford District

Wine Profile

Vineyard NotesThe Rutherford District owes a great debt to Andre Tschelitcheff, who beginning 1938 extolled its many virtues. TEXTBOOK "La Poussiere" Cabernet Sauvignon comes from two sites abutting the St. Helena Highway. These sub-sections of the Rutherford District claim iconic names such as Heitz, Caymus, Inglenook and Dr. Stephens as neighbors and are renowned for superb, full-bodied "dusty" Cabernet Sauvignon. The terrain is characterized by deep gravelly loam soils overlooked by steep, verdant hills to the west. The vines bask in warm, sunny afternoons, offering an ideal growing environment. Exemplary sustainable farming practices are employed in these sites. After veraison unevenly ripened bunches were culled which reduced yield to less than 9 pounds per vine (@ 3.25 tons/acre).

Production NotesThese lots were hand-harvested at an average of 26.1 Brix and then twice hand-sorted and then cold soaked for four days in open-top, temperature-controlled fermenters. One daily punchdown during fermentation kept the caps immersed and extracted superb flavor and structure. After twenty-six days on their skins the must was gently pressed into French oak barriques where it completed ML fermentation over the winter. Press fractions were not used. Barrels were of the highest quality; 100% French, 45% new, three-year air-dried, medium-toast with toasted heads and handcrafted by Boutes and Francois Frères. Seventeen months maturation in barrel with two rackings and one egg white fining integrated flavors and developed its textured mouth-feel. Nine barrels (216 cases) were bottled in March 2014.
"La Poussiere" is a direct translation of the Rutherford District’s hallmark characteristic "the dust". We believe it is a "textbook" example of this noble variety grown in this outstanding appellation and can be enjoyed over the next five years or more.

Winemaker NotesAfter a difficult 2011, the weather in 2012 was a very welcome change. Sunshine and warmth came when we needed it. And rain came only when we wanted it. It was a classic, even vintage from start to finish. A moderately warm summer moved ripening along well, and crop size was good, so that inferior and under ripe clusters were quickly dropped. The vines sailed toward harvest through September with nary a worry. Our 2012 lots were deeply colored, richly textured and showed great promise. TEXTBOOK 2012 "La Poussiere" was crafted to be a delicious Rutherford District Cabernet Sauvignon – ready to enjoy in the medium-term, with the knowledge that its concentration and precision will carry it for the long haul.